Lifting containers



1 March 7. 1970 H. T AX 3,501,192

LI'FTING CONTAINERS Eiled Nov. 21, 19s? t 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTORHans j Ayn;

March17,1970 'HLTAX 3,501,192

LIFTING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 21. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HansTax United States Patent Ofifice 3,501,192 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 Int.Cl. B66c 1/00, 5/02 US. Cl. 294-67 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe specification describes freight container lifting equipment having anumber of different sizes of spreaders for different-sized containersand a single adapter frame for carrying the spreaders.

The invention relates to lifting equipment for freight containers.

In order to connect freight containers to lifting means such as a blockand tackle system, it is a known practice to use horizontal frames, alsoknown as spreaders, connected both with the ropes of the block andtackle system or systems and, by means of releasable couplers, with thecontainer. There are various types of standardized containers, forinstance having lengths of 3.10 m., 6.20 m., 9.30 m., 10.85 m., and12.40 m., the breadth and height being standard (2.44 m.). Thesedifferent types of containers require different lifting frames orSpreaders. Up till now this has meant that for each different size ofcontainer a different lifting apparatus has been used. However with theincrease in popularity of containers the need has arisen to use one andthe same type of lifting equipment for containers of differentdimensions.

Accordingly one object of the present invention is to make possible thelifting and lowering of containers by means of one and the same type oflifting equipment.

A more particular object of the invention is to make this possible inthe case of known lifting equipment systems in which a lifting ropemeans is connected with a lifting frame or spreader having containercouplers.

In accordance with one form of the invention the rope means at its endadjacent to the container is connected with an intermediate adapterframe which is provided with suitable mechanical couplings by which itmay be connected with different sizes of lifting frames or Spreaders,means being provided for connecting, between the adapter frame and thelifting frame, control leads and power supply lines for operatingpower-operated servo means and control devices, respectively on thelifting frame.

Since in the container conveying and loading equipment field it isimportant that rapid operation should be possible and that the equipmentshould be able to be quickly adapted to suit different types ofcontainers, I provide, in accordance with a further advantageous featureof my invention that the mechanical couplings between the adapter frameand the lifting or spreader frame, and/or the couplings between thepower line or lines are self-locking. Or alternatively, or in addition,I provide, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, thatthe couplings are remotely controlled, that is to say made so that theoperator can operate the couplings without leaving his working position.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, which has beenfound to be particularly useful in practice, the couplings between theadapter frames and the lifting or spreader frame, and the coupling meansfor the power line and the servo means on the spreader frame are so madethat they come into engagement automatically on moving the adapter frameonto the spreader or lifting frame, that is to say without specialmanual manipulation.

It is possible to reduce the number of container spreader framesnecessary for a number ofdifferentcontainer types if the adapter frameis so made that it can be used additionally itself as a lifting frame,that is to say used without an additional lifting frame, for one of thecontainer types to be handled. In this case the mechanical couplingmeans for serving to connect the adapter frame with spreader or liftingframes are made in the form of container couplers, that is to saycouplers that can conmet the adapter frame directly with one type ofcontainer.

In order that my invention may be readily intelligible to those in theart, one embodiment of it is now described with reference to theattached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container loading crane constructed inaccordance with my invention.

FIG. 2 shows the adapter frame and container lifting frame or spreaderin lifting equipment in accordance with my invention.

FIG. 1 shows a container lifting crane in such detail as to enable it tobe readily understood by lifting equipment engineers for the purposes ofthe present invention. The crane, which is denoted by the generalreference numeral 10 includes a horizontal bridge beam 12 along which atravelling hoist 14 runs in a horizontal direction for the movement ofthe container from one position to another. The travelling hoist carriesthe upper pulleys 16 of block and tackle units whose ropes 20 run downto the lower pulleys 22 of an intermediate adapter frame 24. The latteris a rigid, rectangular structure, connected by means of mechanicalcouplings 26 with the central portion of a rigid container lifting frameor spreader 28 of elongated, rectangular shape which in turn isconnected with the sealed container 32 by means of couplers 30.

FIG. 2 shows the fixed, but releasable connection of the adapter frame24 with the container lifting frame 28 in. detail. The adapter frame 24has lugs 34 which are connected by means of studs or pins 36 with thecontainer lifting frame. The container couplers, 30, which are of knownconstruction, are provided at the four corners of the frame 28. Thesecouplers are operated by servo motors which are supplied with power bymeans of a power line 38. This power line is provided with the coupling40.

The position of the mechanical coupling means between the adapter andlifting frames and of the disconnectable coupling 40 in the power supplyline makes a rapid disconnection of the adapter frame 24 from aparticular spreader frame a simple and rapid operation. Ifseparatecontrol leads are provided for the servo operated couplers 30, theseleads can also have coupling means. The block and tackle units havingropes 20 are arranged to be operated in synchronism so that the adapterframe 24 remains parallel to itself as it is moved up and down.

I claim:

1. A lifting apparatus for closed freight containers comprising, incombination:

(a) a support;

(b) a rigid, elongated, rectangular lifting frame;

(0) a rigid, rectangular adapter frame;

(d) hoist means attached to said support for moving said adapter framein a vertical direction, and in cluding a plurality of rope membersattached to said adapter frame;

(e) releasable coupling means for coupling a portion of said liftingframe intermediate the longitudinal ends thereof to said adapter framein fixed spatial relationship so that the frames, when in the coupled 34 condition, move as a unit when said adapter frame References Cited ismoved by said hoist means; (f) electrically operated coupler means onsaid lifting UNITED STATES PATENTS frame for attaching said liftingframe to a closed 2,070,586 2/1937 Fltch' 29467 container to be lift d;and 2,946,617 7/1960 Tantllnger 29467 (g) releasable means forconnecting said coupler means 5 3 4/ 1965 Baudhum 21214 to a source ofelectric current.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said HARVEY HORNSBYPnmary Exammcr support includes a horizontally extending bridge member,U S C1 X R said hoist means being mounted on said bridge member forhorizontal movement. 1O

